21st February 2010

Adrian met somebody today who asked for more information about the Allandale Youth Club after receiving information about the several local fund raising activities  he  has organised to help it over its short term financial problems. 

The gentleman concerned was fascinated to hear that the Allandale is not owned by the Council but that it is an entirely independent trust in the hands of the local community.  He referred to the leaflet put out by the Tories on 19th January which alleged that the Club had been ‘axed’ and that its financial difficulties were because of ‘cut backs’. A reader not familiar with the Club might just imagine that the Club was Council owned, that the ‘Axe’ was wielded by the Council and that the alleged ‘cut backs’ were a Council decision. 

The exact opposite is of course true:  it is an independent youth club, and registered charity, held in trust by the community and the Council has no role either in funding or managing it.

However, because of the club’s present difficulties the Council is providing professional advice (free of charge) to assist it in drawing up a recovery plan.  In fact Adrian had facilitated a meeting with the leaders of the Allandale, and professional business advisers from the Council, on 18th January.  That didn’t stop the Conservatives (as Tories like to call themselves) putting out their misleading little blurb the very next day.

The Tories had also visited the club suggesting what a good idea a ‘Black Tie Ball’ might be as it could raise thousands of pounds – and they had a photo opportunity with some of the staff.  Made ‘em look good?

We await with interest the Conservatives’ delivery of the Black Tie Ball.  But when Adrian called into the Allandale today to finish some details of the three fund raisers already organised (with not the merest hint of Tory support) he was perhaps not exactly surprised to learn that no ‘Black Tie Ball’ proposals are yet to hand.  Let’s hope it hasn’t been forgotten.